1
- the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists目的, 意图：
the purpose of the meeting is to appoint a trustee
会议的目的是指定受托人
the building is no longer needed for its original purpose.
这个建筑物现在已不派原来的用场。
1.1
- mass noun a person's sense of resolve or determination意志; 决断; 决心：
there was a new sense of purpose in her step as she set off.
她一走起来步伐就显得前所未有地坚定有力。
1.2
- （一般作purposes）a particular requirement or consideration, typically one that is temporary or restricted in scope or extent（尤指临时或有限的）要求; 考虑：
state pensions are considered as earned income for tax purposes.
出于税收方面的考虑, 国家发放的退休金被视为工作收入。
with obj.
- formal have as one's intention or objective〈正式〉旨在, 以…为目标, 企图做; 决意做：
God has allowed suffering, even purposed it.
上帝已经容许苦难的存在, 甚至有意为之。
短语
on purpose
- intentionally特意地, 故意地, 有意地。
to no purpose
- with no result or effect; pointlessly无结果地, 无成效地, 徒劳地。
to the purpose
- relevant or useful与本题有关的, 得要领的, 合适的; 有用的：
you may have heard something from them which is to the purpose.
你或许已从他们那儿听到了一些有关的情况。
词源
Middle English: from Old French porpos, from the verb porposer, variant of proposer （see PROPOSE）.